Car construction



April 1, 1941. s HASELTINE 2,236,596

CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 22, 1939 I Patented Apr. 1, 1941 CAR CONSTRUCTION Stacy B. Haseltine, Lahfirange, Ill assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 22, 1939, Serial No. 305,686

7 Claims. (Q1. 105200) This invention relates to improvements in car construction.

. One object of the invention is to provide a looking center pin for body and truck bolsters of railway cars provided with center pin receiving openings and annular retaining shoulders adjacent the openings respectively, wherein the center pin is composed of a plurality of outer members having shouldered engagement with the shoulders of both 'bolstersand a filler element for holding the outer members of the pin in said shouldered engagement, the filler element including a plurality of radially extending, integral wings respectively interposed between adjacent of said outer members to hold the same spaced apart.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective locking pin including three outer members symmetrically arranged about the axis of the pin, and a flller element for holding the pin expanded wherein each outer member has flanges at opposite ends thereof which form head members of the assembled pin, and wherein the filler element is in the form of a one-piece member having three radially extending wings spacing the outer members apart.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking center pin including a plurality of sections, each having flanges at opposite ends thereof cooperating with shoulders on the bolsters of a railway car, the sections including three outer members and a filler element having radially projecting wings fitting between said outer sections and spacing the same apart circumferentially, wherein the outer sections have the flanges thereof so shaped and proportioned that they will pass through the pin receiving openings when said outer members are inserted one at a time in. succession, thereby permitting the use of flanges having a maximum amount of shouldered engagement with the bolsters for a pin comprising three outer sections.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a center pin of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph, wherein the pin may be readily inserted and locked from underneath the truck bolster of the car, while the car body including the body bolster is assembled with the complete-truck, and also readily unlocked from beneath the truck bolster and removed by downward withdrawal of the parts of the pin.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan View of a portion L stantially-to the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

of a body bolster of a railway car, illustrating my improvementsin connection therewith. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the body and truck bolsters of the car, corresponding sub- Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of one of the outer sections of my improved center pin. Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the filler element of the center pin. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, illustrating another embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional View of the pin only, as illustratedin Figure 5, corresponding substantially to the-line ii of Figure 5 and looking upwardly, as indicated by the arrows. Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the same line as Figure 6 but looking downward- 131-, as indicated bythe arrows l-l in Figure .5.

Inisaid drawing, it indicates the body bolster of the car and H the truck bolster. The body bolster is of-gthe'cast type and has diaphragm sections. -l2.-1-l2, top and bottom walls E3M, anda center section lii to accommodate the pin. The section 15 is of cylindrical, tubular form, as shown, and has an internal, inwardly projecting, horizontal annular flange l6 between the top and bottom, ends thereof, thereby providing a pocket ii at the top of the bolster adapted to accommodate the'head at the upper end of the pin, AS: will be evident, the annular flange It provides a circular opening which is of such a size as to accommodate the shank portion of the center pin. The truck bolster H, which isalso preferably a casting, has top and bottom walls l8 and I9 connected by vertical side webs 2fl2il, and transverse, vertically disposed, spaced walls 2|-,-2l connecting the webs fil -20. The spaced walls il -2| define a pocket 22 therebetween, which-serves to accommodate the bottom head of the centerpinconnecting the bolsters. The top wall of the truck bolster is provided with an upstanding,hollow, annular flange 23 which projects into and is accommodated within the openingof the. cylindrical section 55 of the body bolster lil. .The opening defined by the flange 23 is of circular outline, and is in axial alignment with the opening defined by the flange l5 of the body bolster Id. These openings, which are defined by the fianges 23 and I6, are of the same diameter and: of slightly greater size than the diameter ofjthe center pin;

The bottomwall 'l 9 of the bolster I I is provided with an opening 24in axial alignment with the pin receiving openings. of the body and truck bolsters,.but Iof, somewhat greater diameter than the same. The usual bearing plate or shim 25 is interposed between the body and truck bolsters l and H.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, my improved locking center pin comprises broadly three outer members A--A--A and a filler element B having three radial wings fitting respectively between said outer members.

The outer members A--AA, which are three in number, are arranged symmetrically about the vertical central axis of the pin. Each outer member is of sector-shaped cross section having laterally diverging inner side faces 2826 and a transversely curved outer face 21. At the top and bottom ends, each member is provided with relatively heavy, horizontally disposed, arcuate flanges 28--28 which project laterally outwardly from the body of the member and form top and bottom head portions. The three sections AA--A of the pin are all alike and when assembled define a sectional cylindrical pin having a shank of circular cross section and head members at opposite ends. The top and bottom flanges 28-28 of each outer member are eccentric to the cylindrical outer face 21, which defines a portion of the outer surface of the shank of the pin, each flange 28 being of such a size that it will readily pass through the pin receiving openings of the body and truck bolsters when the filler element B is'not present and the remaining two outer members are disposed within the pin receiving openings with their respective flanges overhanging the shoulders formed at the outer ends of the pin receiving openings of said bolsters.

The filler element B comprises three platelike wings 29-49-29 radial to the central longitudinal axis of the pin. The wings 29--29--29 are spaced equal distances apart and merge at the center of the pin to form a central shank portion 3|]. These platelike sections are of such a thickness that they fill the spaces between the outer members AAA to form with said outer members a complete pin of true cylindrical form. At the upper end, each wing 29 is laterally, outwardly enlarged to provide a retaining lug or head 3| adapted to overhang the shoulder formed by the internal flange l6 of the section 15 of the body bolster Ill. The filler element B is of such a size that the vertical outer edges of the wings 2929--29 thereof are flush with the outer sides of the members A--AA when the parts of the pin are in completely assembled condition. At the lower ends, the wings are preferably beveled off, as indicated at 33, to facilitate insertion of the bolsters, the shank of the pin substantially f fills the pin receiving openings of the twobolsters defined by the internal flange l6 of the body bolster and the upstanding flange 23 of thetruck bolster, and the flanges 28-28 at the topand bottom ends of the outer members form enlarged top and bottom head portions, respectively, which hold the pin against removal from the bolsters. As will be seen upon reference to Figure l, the

flanges 2828 at the top ends of the members AAA overlap the annular shoulder presented by the flange I6 of the body bolster [0, thereby preventing removal of the pin in a downward direction, and the flanges 2828 at the bottom ends of said members resist upward movement of the pin by engagement with the shoulder presented by the top wall of the pocket 22 of the truck bolster H. In this connection, it is further pointed out that the lugs or heads 3l3l-- 3| of the filler element B rest on the shoulders presented by the flange N5 of the bolster I0 and hold said element against removal in downward direction.

In applying the center pin illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive to the bolsters, the three members AAA are first inserted in the pin receiving openings of said bolsters by passing them one at a time and in succession into said openings, each member after having been inserted being displayed radially outwardly to bring the heads thereof in shouldered engagement with the bolsters before the next member is inserted, thus leaving suflicient space for passage of the head of the latter. With the two outer members thus inserted and radially displaced and in side contact with each other, the space left, or clearance provided in said pin receiving openings, is just sufficient to permit passage therethrough of the head of the third or remaining member. Thus, the flanges 28-28 of the three members of the pin may be made of a size which greatly exceeds the maximum size that could be employed in a collapsible pin of the same general character, wherein the three sections are designed to be inserted as a unit in collapsed condition of the pin. After the three outer members have been inserted and each member displaced radially outwardly into shouldered engagement with the bolsters, the filler element B is applied by inserting the same into the pin receiving openings of the bolsters from above the body bolster, and engaging the wings 29-2929 of said element between said outer members A--A-A, the element B being permitted to drop down or be forced downwardly until arrested against further movement of the lugs 3l-3l-3l thereof seating on the interior flange l8 of the section l5 of the body bolster l8.

In removing the pin, a reverse procedure is followed, the filler element B being first removed by withdrawing the same from between the three outer members in upward direction, thereby permitting collapse of said three members. These members AA-A are then removed in succession, each member in each instance being first displaced radially inwardly to a sufilcient extent to clear the flanges 28-28 thereof from shouldered engagement with the bolsters.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the center pin member and the bolsters are of substantially the same design as the pin and bolsters illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that the pin is so constructed and designed that it may be inserted from underneath the truck bolster and locked against removal from beneath said bolster.

The body and truck bolsters and the parts thereof shown in Figure 5 are identical with the bolsters and the parts of the same illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and are indicated by the same reference characters used in said figures.

The center pin shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 comprises three outer members C-C-C, a filler element D, and a locking key E.

, The outer members C-CC are three in numbeer and arranged symmetrically about the central vertical axis of the pin. Each outer member is of sector-shaped cross section, having laterally diverging inner side faces I26-I26 and a transversely curved outer face I21. At the top and bottom ends, each member C is provided with relatively heavy, horizontally disposed, arcuate flanges I28--I28, similar to the flanges 2828 of the members AAA, hereinbefore described, and functioning in a like manner.

At the bottom end, each member C is provided With a depending lug Mil comprising a curved vertical outer wall MI and a horizontal bottom wall I42 forming a ledge or shelf. As shown in Figure 7, when the parts of the pin are assembled, the three lugs I t9I4I]I w of the members C'CC define a caplike boss having three radially disposed openings which correspond and are in alignment with the spaces between the members CC-C and provide clearance between said lugs for insertion of the filler element D in an upward direction from beneath the truck bolster.

The filler element D comprises three platelike wings I29I29I29, similar .to the wings 29-29-49 of the filler element B disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and functioning in a like manner. The wings I29I29-I29 merge at the center of the pin to form a central shank portion, similar to the shank 3B hereinbeiore de scribed.

At the lower end, each wing I 29 is laterally enlarged to provide a headlike portion I3! adapted to limit upward displacement of said filler element by shouldered engagement with the wall I8 of the truck bolster. As will'be seen upon reference to Figure 5, the head it! is of lesser vertical thickness than the bottom flanges 2828-28 of the outer members of the pin, V

whereby the filler element be forced upwardly to a considerable extent from the position shown in said figure with respect to the outer members, so that the key E may be unlocked as hereinafter pointed out.

Each wing I29 of the element D has a depending locking projection I d3 thereon which is spaced outwardly from the central axis of the pin. The three projections thus provided form means for locking the key E against rotation as hereinafter described.

The key E comprises three radially disposed locking fingers IM--IMIM and a depending central shank I45. The shank I45 provides convenient gripping means for manipulating the key and rotating the same.

The fingers IM-IM-IM are of such a thickness that they will pass freely upwardly through the openings between the lugs I40I6ill lfi of the outer members CCC, and are of a length to clear the inner sides of the vertical walls I4I-I4II4I of the lugs, so that the key may be freely rotated within said lugs when the filler element is raised to lift the locking projections thereof to an extent to clear said fingers.

As will be clear upon reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7, when the locking element or key E and the filler element D are positioned, as indicated in these figures, the locking projections I43I43I43 are engaged between the fingers I44--IM-IM of the key, thereby locking the latter against rotation with respect to the pin proper and preventing the fingers of said key from reaching a position of alignment with the openings between the lugs I 40I lfi!4il, thereby preventing accidental dropping out of the key. In this connection, it should be noted. that inasmuch as the key E supports the filler element D and is in turn supported by its fingers I iM-I Mi l being seated on the ledges of the lugs Id9i4ili i'3, the filler element is positively locked against removal in a downward direction.

The sectional pin disclosed in Figures 5, 6, and '7 is applied to the bolsters in the same manner as the pin hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that all of the parts of the former, including the filler element D, are inserted from underneath the truck bolster. CCC have been inserted in succession within the pin receiving openings of the bolsters, the filler element D is applied by inserting the same between the members C-CC from beneath the truck bolster, and is pushed upwardly until arrested by the heads i3I-I3I-iili thereof coming into engagement with the underneath shoulder of the truck bolster. In this position the locking projections I l3-ii3li3' of said filler element D are raised a sufficient distance to clear the fingers iMHitiQ4 of the locking key E when the latter is in position engaged over the ledges Hi2 of the lugs Hill. The key E is then applied to the lugs Itt-I4DMil by passing the fingers of the-key through the openings between the lugs and bringing the same toa level above said ledges N52,. and then rotating the key to the position shown Figure 7 in which the fingers are engaged over the ledges of the lugs. It should be noted that the key is free to rotate at this time because the locking projections on the filler element D are positioned to clear said fingers. The filler element is then dropped to engage the locking projec-. tions M3-Hi3 M3 thereof between the fingers of the key, as shown in Figure 5, thus effectively locking said key against accidental rotation.

In removing the pin, the filler element. D is first raised to an extent to lift the locking projections thereof clear of the fingers of the locking key. The key is then rotated to align the fingers thereof with the spaces between. thelu'gs I40I-'i9llil and withdrawn. The filler element is next removed from between the outer members CCC by withdrawing the same in a downward direction and the outer members are removed successively, as hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1. to 4 inclusive, the same being also removed from beneath the, truck bolster by withdrawing the same through the opening 2 of said bolster.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional center pin including three similar outer members shouldered at opposite ends and adapted to be enter d through said openings, and a filler element comprising a central member and three equally spaced, radially extending wings integral with said central member providing lat- After the outer members erally flaring pockets of V-shaped cross section therebetween, said wing being engaged between said outer sections to hold the latter spread apart and hold the shoulders thereof in overlapped relation with the annular shoulders of said bolsters.

2. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional center pin comprising three similar outer members, spaced apart at the center of the pin and each spaced laterally from the adjacent member, each member having heads at opposite ends in shouldered engagement with said bolsters, and a one-piece filler element comprising a central section and radially disposed, equally spaced winglike walls extending from said central section forming inwardly converging pockets therebetween in which said outer members are seated, said central section occupying the space at the center of the pin between said outer members, and the Winglike walls of said filler element occupying the space between adjacent of said outer members for holding said members in said shouldered engagement with said bolsters.

3. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of. a sectional center pin including three like outer members of sector-shaped cross section arranged symmetrically about the central longitudinal axis of the pin, and a one-piece filler element having three equally spaced, radially extending spacer wings forming laterally outwardly flaring pockets therebetween to receive and fit said sectorshaped outer members with the wings thereof engaged between said outer members.

4. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional substantially cylindrical center pin including three main outer members of sectorshaped cross section having heads at opposite ends adapted to have shouldered engagement with the annular shoulders of the bolsters, and a one-piece spreader element including a central filler section centrally between said outer members and three equally spaced, radially projecting, spacing wings integral with said central section extending respectively between said main members and interfitting with the same, the heads of each of said members being of a maximum size permissible to pass through said openings when the two remaining members are disposed within said openings in shouldered engagement with the annular shoulders of the bolsters and with the filler element not present.

5. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional center pin including a filler element having a central shank and three equally spaced integral wings radially projecting from said shank, thereby providing pockets of V-shaped cross section therebetween, and three sectorshaped main members headed at opposite ends for shouldered engagement with the bolsters, said main members being alternated with said wings and closely fitting and substantially filling the pockets between said wings.

6. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having aligned center pin receiving openings, each of said bolsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional center pin including a plurality of main sections arranged symmetrically about the vertical central axis of the pin, and a filler element having radially projecting wings interposed respectively between adjacent of said main sections, depending locking lugs having horizontal supporting shoulders on said main sections, said lugs being spaced from each other, and a key having three radial fingers adapted to pass upwardly between said lugs when aligned with the spaces therebetween to bring said fingers into alignment with said shoulders, said key being rotatable to align said fingers with the lugs to seat on the shoulders thereof to support said key and thereby support said filler element.

7. A sectional center pin comprising three main members of sector-shaped cross section headed at opposite ends; a filler section having three radial wings engaged between said main members; and a locking key having three radial- 1y extending locking fingers, said main members each having a depending lug provided with a supporting ledge, said filler element having three depending locking lugs engageable between the fingers of said key to lock the latter against rotation, said key supporting the filler element and being in turn supported by the fingers thereof being seated on said ledges of said lugs, said fingers being of a width to pass freely between said lugs.

STACY B. HASELTINE. 

